Vapor circulating attachment for bathtubs



1933- c. D. FRECH ET AL VAPOR CIRCULATING ATTACHMENT FOR BATHTUBS Filed March 21, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l M INVENTORS,

q% M ATTORNEY,

- g- 15, 1933- c. D. FRECH El AL VAPOR CIRCULATING ATTACHMENT FOR BATHTUBS Filed March 21, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 S m m m m A TTORNEY.

Patented Aug. 15, 1933 VAPOR CIBCULATING ATTACHMENT For.

' BATHTUBS CarI D. Frech and Frank Rdueschke, Fort Wayne, Ind. 1

Application March 21, 1932. Serial No. 600,163 4 Claims. (c 4- 262) This invention relates to improvements in vapor circulating attachments for bath tubs, and

the object thereof isto afford an equipment.

suited to domestic use for taking vapor, baths which may be readily attached to an ordinary bath tub.

An illustrative embodiment of shown in the accompanying which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a bath tub to which is applied a folding cover forming a part of the invention, a portion being broken away;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a generator for heat ing and supplying vapor to air circulated there y;

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the cover in folded position;

Fig. 4 is a vertical side elevation of the generator mounted on the cover, parts being in section;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section of the same; and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the appliance in use.

The illustrative embodiment of the'invention consists of a cover 1 which is preferably formed of a series of sections 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Each section has a corresponding wire frame 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, and a covering ,Twhich encloses the frame made of suitable waterproof flexible material, the coverings for the sections 2, 3 and 4 being continuous through the respective junctures thereof so that said sections have folding'relation with each other. Likewise, the coverings for the sections 5 and 6 are continuous through the juncture thereof so that the sec tions 5 and 6 have folding relation with each other. The sections 4-. and 5 are not connected together, so that they are folded separately with respect to the other sections, and the'sections 4, 5 and 6 are shaped so as to provide a body opening 1 in the cover.

The sections 2 and 3 each have madetherein corresponding openings 8 and 9 respectively, and the covering therefor, if desired, may have a supplemental support 10 attached to the corresponding frame.

A generator is provided consisting'of a box 11 having a lid 11 on its top, an inlet duct 12 the invention is drawings, in

projecting from its bottom at the rear end thereof, and an outlet duct 13 projecting from its bottom at the front end thereof, the outlet duct being provided at its lower end with a hinged nozzle 14. The inlet duct extends up into the box 11 and has an opening 15, and a motor 16 mounted on the rear end of the box has a driveshaft 17 that extends through said opening and has thereon a fan 13 disposed in front of said opening so that when the'f'an is,

actuated air is drawn from the inlet duct into the box and expelledthrough the outlet duct 13.

In the forward part of the box adjacent 1 the outlet duct is positioned a suitable electric heater 19 by which the air passing fromthe fan to the outlet duct is heated. Also, in thebox, between the fan and heater, is suitably secured ,a vessel 20 having in its bottom a second electric heater 21 by which any suitable liquid medicamerit placed in the vessel is vaporized. when said heater is energized, whereupon the air passing through the box becomes vapor. I

On the front of the box 11 is mounted, in convenient reach of the operator, a rheostat 22 and a terminal box 23 provided with switches 24, 25 and 26, that are suitably connected in the usual manner with the corresponding circuits 2'7, 28 and 29 for the fan motor, air heater 19 and vaporizing heater 21 for controlling same.

In using the appliance, the cover is placed with its sectionsunfolded upon the rim of a bath tub 30 and is secured thereon by any suitable means such as straps 31 attached to the sections and provided with ordinary vacuum cups 32 by which the straps are conveniently secured to the inner face of the tub. The generator is then positioned on the cover with its charged with the Y ducts 12 and 13 extending respectively through the openings 8 and 9 provided therefor, and connection is made with a suitable source of e1ecthe air in the box and tub to circulate through the inlet and outlet ducts from the tub into the box and vice versa. And, while thus circulated, the air is heated andcharged'more or less with vapor arising from the vessel to the extent desired. The flow of air passing into the tub from the duct 13 may be directed against different portions of the body by turning the nozzle upon its hinged support.

The equipment thus constructed and operated provides a convenient and simple means for bathing in circulating air medicated and tempered as may be required and controlled by the person bathing.

The vessel20, preferably, is triangular in hori- I zontal section and is positioned in the box with one of its corners disposed in front of the fan in line with the axis thereof so that the stream of air from the fan is thereby deflected in the box away from the heater 19. the air as it passes through the box is uniformly heated.

What is claimed:

1. An attachment of the class described, consisting of a cover adapted to close the top of a bath tub, formed of folding connected sections, one end portion of said cover having a body opening, and the opposite end thereof having two spaced openings, and a generator removably mounted on said cover consisting'of a box having inlet and outlet ducts adapted to be inserted respectively through said spaced openings so as to have communication therethrough with said tub, and containing a motor-driven fan and a liquid holding vessel so disposed that when the generator is in operative position and the fan is operated circulation of air is established through the tub and box and vapor arising from liquid placed in the vessel permeates the air thus'circulated.

- p 2. An attachment of the class described, consisting of a cover adapted to close the top of a bath tub, formed of foldin connected sections,

one end portion of said cover having a body opening, and the opposite end thereof having two spaced openings, a generator removably mounted on said cover consisting of a box having inlet and outlet ducts that project respectively In this manner through said spaced openings and have communication therethrough with said tub, a motordriven fan in said box disposed to create circulation of air through the box and tub, a liquid vaporizing vessel disposed in the path of the air circulated by the fan, and means in connection with said vessel to induce vaporization of liquid when placed in the vessel. 7

3. An attachment of the class described, consisting of a cover adapted to close the top of a bath tub, formed of folding connected sections,

one end portion of said cover having a body opening, and the opposite end thereof having two spaced openings, a generator removably mounted on said cover consisting of a box having inlet and outlet ducts that project respectively through said spaced openings and have communication therethrough with said tub, a motordriven fan in said box disposed to create circulation of air through the box and 'tub, and a liquid vaporizing vessel disposed in the path of the air circulated by the fan. i

4, An attachment of the class described consisting of a cover adapted to close the top of a bath tub having a body opening in one end portion thereof and also two spaced openings, and a generator removably 'mounted on said cover consisting of a box having inlet and outlet ducts adapted to be inserted respectively through said spaced openings to afford communications between the tub and box and containing a motordriven fan so disposed that when operated circulation of air, is' established through the box and tub.

CARL D. FRECH. FRANK F. JUESCHKE. 

